King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 28:13 Mean?

2 Chronicles 28:13 in the King James Version says “And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.”

2 Chronicles 28:13 · KJV

Context

11

Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you.

12

Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war,

13

And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.

14

So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation.

15

And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees , to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Total rejection of God bringing catastrophic judgment. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
אֹֽמְרִ֔ים1 of 26

“And said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶ֗ם2 of 26
H0
לֹֽא3 of 26
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תָבִ֤יאוּ4 of 26

“unto them Ye shall not bring in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת5 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַשִּׁבְיָה֙6 of 26

“the captives”

H7633

exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively)

הֵ֔נָּה7 of 26
H2008

hither or thither (but used both of place and time)

כִּי֩8 of 26
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אַשְׁמָה֙9 of 26

“and to our trespass”

H819

guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of a sin-offering

יְהוָ֤ה10 of 26

“against the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עָלֵ֙ינוּ֙11 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אַתֶּ֣ם12 of 26
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אֹֽמְרִ֔ים13 of 26

“And said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְהֹסִ֥יף14 of 26

“to add”

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

עַל15 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

חַטֹּאתֵ֖נוּ16 of 26

“more to our sins”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

וְעַל17 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אַשְׁמָה֙18 of 26

“and to our trespass”

H819

guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of a sin-offering

כִּֽי19 of 26
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

רַבָּ֤ה20 of 26

“is great”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

אַשְׁמָה֙21 of 26

“and to our trespass”

H819

guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of a sin-offering

לָ֔נוּ22 of 26
H0
וַֽחֲר֥וֹן23 of 26

“and there is fierce”

H2740

a burning of anger

אָ֖ף24 of 26

“wrath”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

עַל25 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃26 of 26

“against Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 28:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 28:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 23:32Joshua 22:17-18Matthew 23:35Numbers 32:14Romans 2:5

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